Delphi Complete Works of Pliny the Elder

by Pliny the Elder

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  CHAP. 38. (22.)

  THE EUONYMOS.

  There is no tree productive of a more auspicious presage than one which grows in the Isle of Lesbos, and is known by the name of euonymos. It bears some resemblance to the pomegranate tree, the leaf being in size between the leaf of that and the leaf of the laurel, while in shape and softness it resembles that of the pomegranate tree: it has a white blossom, by which it immediately gives us notice of its dangerous properties. It bears a pod very similar to that of sesame, within which there is a grain of quadrangular shape, of coarse make and poisonous to animals. The leaf, too, has the same noxious effects; sometimes, however, a speedy alvine discharge is found to give relief on such occasions.

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  CHAP. 39.

  THE TREE CALLED EON.

  Alexander Cornelius has called a tree by the name of “eon,” with the wood of which, he says, the ship Argo was built. This tree has on it a mistletoe similar to that of the oak, which is proof against all injury from either fire or water, in the same manner, in fact, as that of no other tree known. This tree, however, appears to have been known to no other author, that I am aware of.

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  CHAP. 40.

  THE ANDRACHLE.

  Nearly all the Greek writers interpret the name of the tree called “andrachle,” as meaning the same as “purslain:” whereas purslain is, in reality, a herb, and, with the difference of a single letter, is called “andrachne.” The andrachne is a wild tree, which never grows in the plain country, and is similar to the arbute tree in appearance, only that its leaves are smaller, and never fall off. The bark, too, is not rough, but might be taken to be frozen all over, so truly wretched is its appearance.

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  CHAP. 41.

  THE COCCYGIA; THE APHARCE.

  Similar, too, in leaf to the preceding tree, is the coccygia, though not so large; it has this peculiarity, that it loses its fruit while still in the downy state — they then call it “pappus” — a thing that happens to no other tree. The apharce is another tree that is similar to the andrachle, and like it, bears twice in the year: just as the grape is beginning to flower the first fruit is ripening, while the second fruit ripens at the commencement of winter; of what nature this fruit is we do not find stated.

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  CHAP. 42.

  THE FERULA.

  We ought to place the ferula also in the number of the exotics, and as making one of the trees. For, in fact, we distinguish the trees into several different kinds: it is the nature of some to have wood entirely in place of bark, or, in other words, on the outside; while, in the interior, in place of wood, there is a fungous kind of pith, like that of the elder; others, again, are hollow within, like the reed. The ferula grows in hot countries and in places beyond sea, the stalk being divided into knotted joints. There are two kinds of it; that which grows upwards to a great height the Greeks call by the name of “narthex,” while the other, which never rises far from the ground, is known as the “narthecya.” From the joints very large leaves shoot forth, the largest lying nearest to the ground: in other respects it has the same nature as the anise, which it resembles also in its fruit. The wood of no shrub is lighter than this; hence it is very easily carried, and the stalks of it make good walking-sticks for the aged.

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  CHAP. 43.

  THE THAPSIA.

  The seed of the ferula has been by some persons called “thapsia;” deceived, no doubt, by what is really the fact, that the thapsia is a ferula, but of a peculiar kind, with leaves like those of fennel, and a hollow stalk not exceeding a walking-stick in length; the seed is like that of the ferula, and the root of the plant is white. When an incision is made in the thapsia, a milky juice oozes from it, and, when pounded, it produces a kind of juice; the bark even is never thrown away. All these parts of the shrub are poisonous, and, indeed, it is productive of injurious effects to those engaged in digging it up; for if the slightest wind should happen to be blowing towards them from the shrub, the body begins to swell, and erysipelas attacks the face: it is for this reason that, before beginning work, they anoint the face all over with a solution of wax. Still, however, the medical men say that, mixed with other ingredients, it is of considerable use in the treatment of some diseases. It is employed also for the cure of scald-head, and for the removal of black and blue spots upon the skin, as if, indeed, we were really at a loss for remedies in such cases, without having recourse to things of so deadly a nature. These plants, however, act their part in serving as a pretext for the introduction of noxious agents; and so great is the effrontery now displayed, that people would absolutely persuade one that poisons are a requisite adjunct to the practice of the medical art.

  The thapsia of Africa is the most powerful of all. Some persons make an incision in the stalk at harvest-time, and bore holes in the root, too, to let the juice flow; after it has become quite dry, they take it away. Others, again, pound the leaves, stalk, and root in a mortar, and after drying the juice in the sun, divide it into lozenges. Nero Cæsar, at the beginning of his reign, conferred considerable celebrity on this plant. In his nocturnal skirmishes it so happened that he received several contusions on the face, upon which he anointed it with a mixture composed of thapsia, frankincense, and wax, and so contrived the next day effectually to give the lie to all rumours, by appearing with a whole skin. It is a well-known fact, that fire is kept alight remarkably well in the hollow stalk of the ferula, and that for this purpose those of Egypt are the best.

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  CHAP. 44. (23.)

  THE CAPPARIS OR CYNOSBATON, OTHERWISE OPHIOSTAPHYLE.

  In Egypt, too, the capparis is found, a shrub with a wood of much greater solidity. The seed of it is a well-known article of food, and is mostly gathered together with the stalk. It is as well, however, to be on our guard against the foreign kinds; for that of Arabia has certain deleterious properties, that from Africa is injurious to the gums, and that from Marmarica is prejudicial to the womb and causes flatulence in all the organs. That of Apulia, too, is productive of vomiting, and causes derangement in the stomach and intestines. Some persons call this shrub “cynosbaton,” others, again, “ophiostaphyle.”

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  CHAP. 45.

  THE SARIPHA.

  The saripha, too, that grows on the banks of the Nile, is one of the shrub genus. It is generally about two cubits in height, and of the thickness of one’s thumb: it has the foliage of the papyrus, and is eaten in a similar manner. The root, in consequence of its extreme hardness, is used as a substitute for charcoal in forging iron.

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  CHAP. 46. (24.)

  THE ROYAL THORN.

  We must take care, also, not to omit a peculiar shrub that is planted at Babylon, and only upon a thorny plant there, as it will not live anywhere else, just in the same manner as the mistletoe will live nowhere but upon trees. This shrub, however, will only grow upon a kind of thorn, which is known as the royal thorn. It is a wonderful fact, but it germinates the very same day that it has been planted. This is done at the rising of the Dog-star, after which it speedily takes possession of the whole tree. They use it in the preparation of wine, and it is for this purpose that it is planted. This thorn grows at Athens also, upon the Long Walls there.

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  CHAP. 47.

  THE CYTISUS.

  The cytisus is also a shrub, which, as a food for sheep; has been extolled with wonderful encomiums by Aristomachus the Athenian, and, in a dry state, for swine as well: the same author, too, pledges his word that a jugerum of very middling land, planted with the cytisus, will produce an income of two thousand sesterces per annum. It is quite as useful as the ervum, but is apt to satiate more speedily: very little of it is necessary to fatten cattle; to such
a degree, indeed, that beasts of burden, when fed upon it, will very soon take a dislike to barley. There is no fodder known, in fact, that is productive of a greater abundance of milk, and of better quality; in the medical treatment of cattle in particular, this shrub is found a most excellent specific for every kind of malady. Even more than this, the same author recommends it, when first dried and then boiled in water, to be given to nursing women, mixed with wine, in cases where the milk has failed them: and he says that, if this is done, the infant will be all the stronger and taller for it. In a green state, or, if dried, steeped in water, he recommends it for fowls. Both Democritus and Aristomachus promise us also that bees will never fail us so long as they can obtain the cytisus for food. There is no crop that we know of, of a similar nature, that costs a smaller price. It is sown at the same time as barley, or, at all events, in the spring, in seed like the leek, or else planted in the autumn, and before the winter solstice, in the stalk. When sown in grain, it ought to be steeped in water, and if there should happen to be no rain, it ought to be watered when sown: when the plants are about a cubit in height, they are replanted in trenches a foot in depth. It is transplanted at the equinoxes, while the shrub is yet tender, and in three years it will arrive at maturity. It is cut at the vernal equinox, when the flower is just going off; a child or an old woman is able to do this, and their labour may be had at a trifling rate. It is of a white appearance, and if one would wish to express briefly what it looks like, it is a trifoliated shrub, with small, narrow leaves. It is always given to animals at intervals of a couple of days, and in winter, when it is dry, before being given to them, it is first moistened with water. Ten pounds of cytisus will suffice for a horse, and for smaller animals in proportion: if I may here mention it by the way, it is found very profitable to sow garlic and onions between the rows of cytisus.

  This shrub has been found in the Isle of Cythnus, from whence it has been transplanted to all the Cyclades, and more recently to the cities of Greece, a fact which has greatly increased the supply of cheese: considering which, I am much surprised that it is so rarely used in Italy. This shrub is proof, too, against all injuries from heat, from cold, from hail, and from snow: and, as Hyginus adds, against the depredations of the enemy even, the wood produced being of no value whatever.

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  CHAP. 48. (25.)

  THE TREES AND SHRUBS OF THE MEDITER- RANEAN. THE PHYCOS, PRASON, OR ZOSTER.

  Shrubs and trees grow in the sea as well; those of our sea are of inferior size, while, on the other hand, the Red Sea and all the Eastern Ocean are filled with dense forests. No other language has any name for the shrub which is known to the Greeks as the “phycos,” since by the word “alga” a mere herb is generally understood, while the “phycos” is a complete shrub. This plant has a broad leaf of a green colour, which is by some called “prason,” and by others is known as “zoster.” Another kind, again, has a hairy sort of leaf, very similar to fennel, and grows upon rocks, while that previously mentioned grows in shoaly spots, not far from the shore. Both kinds shoot in the spring, and die in autumn. The phycos which grows on the rocks in the neighbourhood of Crete, is used also for dyeing purple; the best kind being that produced on the north side of the island, which is the case also with sponges of the very best quality. A third kind, again, is similar in appearance to grass; the root of it is knotted, and so is the stalk, which resembles that of a reed.

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  CHAP. 49.

  THE SEA BRYON.

  There is another kind of marine shrub, known by the name of “bryon;” it has the leaf of the lettuce, only that it is of a more wrinkled appearance; it grows nearer land, too, than the last. Far out at sea we find a fir-tree and an oak, each a cubit in height; shells are found adhering to their branches. It is said that this sea-oak is used for dyeing wool, and that some of them even bear acorns in the sea, a fact which has been ascertained by shipwrecked persons and divers. There are other marine trees also of remarkable size, found in the vicinity of Sicyon; the sea-vine, indeed, grows everywhere. The sea-fig is destitute of leaves, and the bark is red. There is a palm-tree also in the number of the sea-shrubs. Beyond the columns of Hercules there is a sea-shrub that grows with the leaf of the leek, and others with those of the carrot, and of thyme. Both of these last, when thrown up by the tide, are transformed into pumice.

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  CHAP. 50.

  PLANTS OF THE RED SEA.

  In the East, it is a very remarkable thing, that immediately after leaving Coptos, as we pass through the deserts, we find nothing whatever growing, with the exception of the thorn that is known as the “thirsty” thorn; and this but very rarely. In the Red Sea, however, there are whole forests found growing, among which more particularly there are plants that bear the laurel-berry and the olive; when it rains also certain fungi make their appearance, which, as soon as they are touched by the rays of the sun, are turned into pumice. The size of the shrubs is three cubits in height; and they are all filled with sea-dogs, to such a degree, that it is hardly safe to look at them from the ship, for they will frequently seize hold of the very oars.

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  CHAP. 51.

  PLANTS OF THE INDIAN SEA.

  The officers of Alexander who navigated the Indian seas, have left an account of a marine tree, the foliage of which is green while in the water; but the moment it is taken out, it dries and turns to salt. They have spoken also of bulrushes of stone bearing a strong resemblance to real ones, which grew along the sea-shore, as also certain shrubs in the main sea, the colour of an ox’s horn, branching out in various directions, and red at the tips. These, they say, were brittle, and broke like glass when touched, while, on the other hand, in the fire they would become red-hot like iron, and when cool resume their original colour.

  In the same part of the earth also, the tide covers the forests that grow on the islands, although the trees there are more lofty than the very tallest of our planes and poplars! The leaves of these trees resemble that of the laurel, while the blossom is similar to the violet, both in smell and colour: the berries resemble those of the olive, and they, too, have an agreeable smell: they appear in the autumn, and the leaves of the trees never fall off. The smaller ones are entirely covered by the waves, while the summits of those of larger size protrude from the water, and ships are made fast to them; when the tide falls the vessels are similarly moored to the roots. We find the same persons making mention of certain other trees which they saw out at sea, which always retained their leaves, and bore a fruit very similar to the lupine.

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  CHAP. 52.

  THE PLANTS OF THE TROGLODYTIC SEA; THE HAIR OF ISIS: THE CHARITO-BLEPHARON.

  Juba relates, that about the islands of the Troglodytæ there is a certain shrub found out at sea, which is known as the “air of Isis:” he says that it bears a strong resemblance to coral, is destitute of leaves, and if cut will change its colour, becoming quite black and hard, and so brittle as to break if it falls. He speaks also of another marine plant, to which he gives the name of “Charito-blepharon,” and which, he says, is particularly efficacious in love-charms. Bracelets and necklaces are made of it. He says also that it is sensible when it is about to be taken, and that it turns as hard as horn, so hard, indeed, as to blunt the edge of iron. If, on the other hand, it is cut before it is sensible of the danger, it is immediately transformed to stone.

  SUMMARY. — Remarkable facts, narratives, and observations, four hundred and sixty-eight.

  ROMAN AUTHORS QUOTED. — M. Varro, Mucianus, Virgil, Fabianus, Sebosus, Pomponius Mela, Fabius, Procilius, Hyginus, Trogus, Claudius Cæsar, Cornelius Nepos, Sextius Niger who wrote in Greek on Medicine, Cassius Hemina, L. Piso, Tuditanus, Antias.

  FOREIGN AUTHORS QUOTED. — Theophrastus, Herodotus, Callisthenes, Isigonus, Clitarchus, Anaximenes, Duris, Nearchus, Onesicritus, Polycritus, Olympiodorus, Diognetu
s, Cleobulus, Anticlides, Chares of Mitylene, Menæchmus, Dorotheus of Athens, Lycus, Antæus, Ephip- pus, Dion, Adimantus, Ptolemy Lagus, Marsyas of Macedon, Zoilus of Macedon, Democritus, Amphilochus, Alexander Polyhistor, Aristomachus, King Juba, Apollodorus who wrote on Perfumes, Heraclides the physician, Botrys the physician, Archidemus the physician, Dionysius the physician, Democlides the physician, Euphron the physician, Mnesides the physician, Diagoras the physician, Iollas the physician, Heraclides of Tarentum, Xenocrates of Ephesus.

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  BOOK XIV. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FRUIT TREES.

  CHAPS. 1 & 2. (1.)

  THE NATURE OF THE VINE. ITS MODE OF FRUCTIFICATION.